Started up the SC 430 (2002) and a clicking noise is coming from the engine. After engine is warmed up noise settles down . Have 71212 miles

 

Clicking sounds like a valve tap. ??

 

mrblister got it right. get some valve tap cleaner put in engine oil, see if that helps, then change oil. two things cause a tap, bad lifter or cam and lifters will need to be changed.
if it were me change cam and lifters, do it the right way.

 

Sounds like a little valve train clatter. If you take it to the dealership or a trusted ASE Certified mechanic, they will set the proper valve lash and shim if and where needed on either left or right bank or both. If they are too far out of spec for any adjustment to the valve train, throw a new set of lifters at it and also check the cams as Mrblister and Bacardi have suggested. This will quiet down the "Singer Sewing Machine" effect and get it silenced down and idle creamy smooth again.

 

All good advice from experienced forum posters. 71,000 miles seems a little low for this type of problem, in this engine. Maybe try the descending order of possible remedies:

1) try tap (lifter) cleaner and oil flush before fitting a new oil filter and new (spec) oil. I know oil flush invites mixed opinions but tap or lifter noise implies a gummy oil nature. Blocked oil galleries will give bigger problems.

2) a trusted mechanic adjusts the cam clearances

3) replace parts

 

These are hydraulic lifters, right? If so a cleaner and then new synthetic oil might help. I had an Audi Turbo Quattro back in the late 80's that had one lifter that took some time to pump up starting around 80kmiles. Switched to synthetic oil and it pumped up in a few seconds. I put 250,000 miles on that engine before I gave it to my brother, and he put a bunch more on it until the tranny let go.

If the clatter goes away once the engine is warm, I wouldn't necessarily tear it down as a first step. And in fact, loose for a few minutes ain't all bad, unless it sounds like a diesel engine.

 

Thanks for the info ,, headed to ASE mechanic tomorrow. Will update results.

 

Mechanic says it is an exhaust leak.....took to another mechanic, glad I did, cleaner and synthetic oil did the trick,

 

see the cleaner worked and new oil. some crap in lifters cause lifters to hang up. I change my synthetic oil every 3000 and filter. I know don't need to but that's me.

 

Funny, you know synthetic oil doesn't need a change every 3000 miles but you still do it. Not scientific at all. LOL

It is all mental (which is the hardest to overcome).

 

your right many many years ago 2000 was change time, bad habit never go away, but oil was always clean. that's what happens when your into cars year ago habit.

 

This video at the website I linked below explains SO MUCH (mostly of how to fix all the major problems for 3rd gen Lexus'/Toyotas with the 3.5L engines)Quick side note=The car that the engine came out of that the mechanic is talking about, originally came out of a 2009 Toyota Highlander, BUT DONT FRET, it is the SAME EXACT Engines that are found in the 3rd generation Lexus RX's!!That being said, if you skip to about 16 minutes into it, the mechanic explains how to tell which "Revision" of the engine you have; 1, 2, or 3. I'm a fairly new owner of a 2011 RX350 (just hit about 5 months) with the same exact problem as you're explaining, I have the "2nd Revision" of the engine.Ive been experiencing the very same problem you expressed you're having! It really puzzled the heck out of me because despite the noise, it doesn't seem to affect the performance or the drivability of the car, it just sounds downright unhealthy. Lol. I spent a decent amount of money doing a complete oil change, as well as adding an expensive Engine Treatment/Lubricant that did quiet the sound a little bit, but it absolutely hasnt gone away... Ive done TONS of research & have asked several other mechanics to see how their opinions differed, and unfortunately, it seems that that annoying sound is ultimately "normal"; I guess Lexus's in particular are KNOWN for having noisy lifters and has what is sometimes referred to as "piston slap", but doesn't really cause damage to the engine! This video helped me understand A LOT about my Lexus because before this, I only drove & worked on my reliable Subaru💜 Anyhow. I hope this video helps!! As said before, if you jump to about 16 minutes in, he explains pretty well.